The sixth session of the National Democratic
Rally's (RND) National Council, held in Algiers just after we went to
press last week, was distinguished by violent scuffles between
supporters and opponents of the prime minister and RND
secretary general Ahmed Ouyahia. Security forces had to be
called in to restore law and order and separate the protagonists.
According to Echorouk's report of events, Nouria
Hafsi, a member of the National Council and an Ouyahia opponent,
started handing out leaflets to journalists at the end of the Council's
opening session to journalists which called for “the salvaging of the
RND Party”. Suddenly, a group of unknown assailants, believed
to be some of Ouyahia's thugs, stormed the premises and
roughed up Nouria Hafsi, forcing the security forces to intervene.
The party situation and Ouyahia's position remain unclear.
According to the Echorouk report, many of the party dissidents have
called for the holding of an extraordinary party congress meeting at
the earliest possible time in order to elect a new RND
leadership, supposedly with a view to preparing for the next local
elections.
For more news and expert analysis about Algeria, please see Algeria Focus and Algeria Politics & Security.
© 2012 Menas Associates
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